I became a mother of 25 today.

What did I do at work today?
Well let me tell you, at the farm, things don't ever really go quite as planned. It was planned that when I arrived to work at 7:45, the girls would be up and ready and the girls, their mom and I would head over to Nordstroms! Well, at 3:30 am their chicks arrived for Texas, so with a 5:30am phone call, she told them we would be there by 8:30. So off we went to go pick the chicks up from the post office. 25 of them.

We did make it to Nordstroms, had breakfast, shopped for a couple hours, and had lunch. The Cafe manager LOVES us. Anyways, we then had to go to Aslin-Finch (a farm pet/seed store) where we got everything we needed. The manager thought it was hilarious that I was going to be the ones raising the chicks this summer, and gave me a entitled: "managing your small flock."

Now for those of you who don't know. I hate birds. They terrify me. But when I was given the assignment of raising these chicks this summer, I fell in love. Addy, Syd and I created a pen for the chicks, and named each and every one of them.






I know you probably don't believe me, but I can name half of them just with a glance. My favorite is Martin. He is Black with white tipped wings and a yellow tipped beak. We also have Owly, Leopard, Algae, Mr. and Mrs. Owie. Bitey, Bully and Meany, Witch, Fluffy, hmmm who else? Little guy and leg breaker. That's all I can remember right now. Don't judge me. I'm a farm girl.

Much love.

PIcture post!!!!

Here is my last month in pictures
(Inspired by Lindsay's last week in pictures, minus the fact that I am way behind)



We went to CDA to celebrate the Fourth of July.



My girls and I earned pedicures at the Davenport for doing farm work.




Analisa and I moved into R apartment



I went home, and caught some wonderful Portland sunsets.



Had a nice visit with aunt Dorie (3 generations of mom's side girls)






Graduation party pictures!!

Much love.

I spent last fourth of July at the Timm family ranch. Amy Timm has been a good friend of mine since freshman year of highschool. She has a wonderful family and she is one of the few people I stay connected with from my shaky highschool years. Each fourth of July, Amy and her brother Austen make a country CD. I got to see Amy this weekend and she gave me the newest "God Bless Amuhrica" CD, which accompanied me on my drive back to Spokane. One song imparticular (track 2) has been constantly in my mind. It's called Love Like Crazy, by Lee Brice.

The chorus says:

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I Love You
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin knees get lazy
And love like crazy

I think we too often forget how quickly our time can be taken away from us.

While at home I read a quite depressing Jodi Picoult book (the two seem to be synonymous to each other) about a school shooting. The book rocked my world in a way I can't explain.

This morning there was a massive car accident at the intersection of Analisa and my apartment, and when I drove by later and saw the remains of a few demolished cars, I was quickly reminded of how precious time is.

A group of us just graduated college. We are in a whole new place in our lives, and I just am constantly reminded how blessed I am and to not take things in my life for granted.

Tomorrow I return to the farm. To my girls, to my cows, and to a silent peace that is impossible to be found in the city.


I have had a wonderfully relaxing week off from work. Spent today at the pool and starbucks, followed by tutoring, cooking dinner and cookies with Analisa, and watching So you think you Can Dance? With Claire, Analisa and Joseph. He is a trooper.

Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Much love.

Portland Visit!

Upon my arrival back to Spokane, I was quickly told that I have not been keeping up my blog to the standard of those viewing. So, here I am. Sitting on my bed, in R apartment, listening to music with my bestie. While I'm not exactly sure where I last left off, I do have an exciting weekend to write about!

After helping pack and prepare my girls for their week vacation to Canada in a motorhome, I began my week long vacation from running cattle and playing mermaid. The sun was shining so I thought it was only appropriate to spend a little R&R time by our pool, with old housemates from both the corner and better houses.

By Friday, I was all sunned up and ready to begin my journey to the 503 to visit team Baylis. After a quite pleasant drive through the Columbia Gorge, I was met 30 miles outside of Portland with the reminder of city life. Having lived in Spokane for four years now, I am always reminded of real city traffic just about after Gresham. So, after going 20 mph in a 65 zone for about 25 minutes, I arrived into Torreyview, and was greeted by Dad himself, grooming the front yard. A quick hello to Charley Baylis was quite necessary before Dad and I hopped in BABS (dad's car) and took a journey to Costco. Now after almost getting kicked out of QFC (our local market in PDX) on my last journey home, we weren't sure what fellow shoppers of Costco on a hot, Friday afternoon would encounter. We did pretty well until we passed the Smoothie machine sample when dad found it necessary to shout "WHAT is this? the country FAIR?????" After many laughs we found ourselves in the check out lane, with more alcohol and meat than anyone may need.

Saturday was the big day. Now that A.J and I are both graduated, it was time for a little Torreyview lovin party time. Now anyone who doesn't know my neighborhood needs to know that the elite group of us who hang out, have been together for 20 years, in fact Team Baylis is celebrating our anniversary of keeping Portland weird this recent July. Anyways, our neighborhood is wild and we are family. So, Saturday consisted of cleaning, cooking, and shopping for the party on Sunday.

The party was a hit, spent some wonderful time with neighbors and family, even Aunt Dorie (84) was able to make it. Torreyview was successful in our consumption of all our costco purchases... some more than others... :)

Monday Mom day.
Mom had to take care of some things for a few clients on Monday, so we went into the travel agency for a few hours. Now, I have grown up with that being mom's work, since she quit nursing a few years after we moved here. However, when I walked into the agency kitchen (where there was always licorice present during my childhood) I did not expect to find a picture frame collage which I was present in. My mom's boss and I are the same age and have grown up together. When ever I go home, I am amazed how many communities I am a part of and have grown up in. Anyways, after mom got her work done, we headed over to our favorite French bakery in Lake oswego for lunch, followed by a favorite place of mine: the Columbia Sportswear outlet, where I have without fault, bought a jacket the last 4 visits. By 7 pm, team Baylis was reunited back at home, and after much deliberation, decided we wanted sushi for dinner, so we found ourselves, in our favorite booth, at marinepolis, where a majority of the sushi chefs speak Spanish. Gotta love Beaverton ;)

Today, was my last day home. It was a quick weekend, but well worth it. I have a wonderful family and I am so blessed by the relationships I have with each of them. We ended my time by meeting dad between meetings, for lunch at an old, restored "haunted" theater for lunch.

I love you team Baylis.

Thursday, I return to the farm.

Until then,
E

I am quite happy with where my life is at right now.
Today I floated the Spokane river with 3 of my great friends. The sun was shining, and the journey ended with a subway sandwich. What could be better?
Analisa and I are all moved into R apartment (we are in building R so we decided the name was appropriate). We love it here. We had a bit of a scare when the boys under us were quite loud one night, but after many apologies and a bottle of wine, we all became friends and they assured us it won't be happening again. I get to go home on Friday and spend a wonderful weekend plus 2 days with my wonderful family in my wonderful Portland.
What could be better?

My life on the farm.

Hello!
Somehow, the month of June is ending. Seems like I was just hanging out by the pool with Team Baylis.
I have been loving living with my girls for one last time before we all go on our own ways. Out of the 6 of us living in this house, Em is going to Texas, Danika to CA, Ande to Seattle, Analisa and I are getting an apartment, and Claire isn't sure. It is such a strange time. BUT, on a different note, my farm experience is just wonderful.

I would like to share some pictures with you. I'll choose just a few of my favorites ;) Since I put 60 of my farm pictures up on facebook!

This first one is me and Chantel. My hands down favorite cow on the farm.



I sat down today by the fence and they all came to me. They are getting used to me being around finally.



These are my beautiful girls I am watching. We are at the Spokane Falls downtown, on our way to the club to go swim.



So far, I have collected over 30 eggs, bailed hay to the cows with a pitchfork, brused the animals, fed everyone (10 cows, 2 llamas, 4 dogs, 3 cats and 2 girls)
sorted eggs, and yesterday... chased a steer that got out of the fence...

I love it. It is so not my typical lifestyle but I am finding it to be such an amazing thing and the girls finally said yesterday that I am a "real" farm girl.

Graduate-Bay!

I am a college graduate!
I am realizing that it is going to get difficult to stay in touch with everyone.
So, here comes the blog back!
Graduation was lots of fun events though!

After graduation I went to Mexico with the family... lots of fun. Great relaxing!






I am back in Spokane now, living with 7 of my close girl friends, and in two weeks getting an apartment with my best friend Analisa!


I am also, for the summer, nannying! But not just anywhere... on a FARM! It's such a crazy experience for me...Portland girl... The other day I collected eggs from the barns, brushed all 4 dogs, found a random horses owner, and ran away from some llamas. The girls are great and it's going to be a fun summer!